For our first installment of the spring training update, we checked in with pitcher Ryan Drese. Drese pitched with the Riversharks for part of last season, and has been with three Major League teams: the Indians, Rangers, and Nationals. He's looking forward to starting the season with the Riversharks, as opposed to joining mid-season like he did last year. Here are more of Drese's comments...
Q: So what'd you guys do yesterday?
Drese: "Yesterday, they wouldn't let us do anything. It was kinda brutal. It rained a lot of the day, but when we were actually at the park, it wasn't raining. But they wouldn't let us use the mounds, because they didn't want to uncover them, and risk them getting wet if it started raining again. So we were basically here doing absolutely nothing, just playing catch. They wouldn't let us use the weight room and work out either."
Q: Did that make it easier to start getting to know your teammates?
Drese: "Well, the locker room here is not really conducive to hanging out. They try to usher you in and out of here pretty quick, once they realize you're not gonna be doing anything."
Q: What's the weather like today?
Drese: "I'm actually sitting outside the clubhouse now. It's good weather today. We're supposed to throw some live batting practice, and some of the other guys are gonna throw in the bullpen. Yesterday, the hitters did get batting practice in the cage, and I think that went well for them."
Q: Are you looking forward to beginning the season with the Riversharks?
Drese: "Yeah. I was there last year for just under 2 months. This year, it's probably gonna be a much easier transition, just because I know what to expect. Last year, coming in, with a new team, you walk in the first day, everybody's already there, you don't really know what the competition level is, or what games and schedules are like. Now it's kinda, 'been there, done that.' "
Q: What's the most important thing you personally are looking to get out of spring training?
Drese: "For me, I just want to face hitters. You have to get used to pitching to contact, so if I can throw to hitters a few times down here, and get used to contact, throwing strikes, that's a good thing. And, of course, I want to stay healthy for when the games start."
Q: How well have you gotten to know everyone so far?
Drese: "I know some of the guys. In Major League spring training, you have 7 weeks to get to know each other and get familiar with each other, whereas here, it's like, 'Hey, how you doing? Let's play.' It takes a little time getting used to your catchers and other players.
Actually, you play with or against a lot of the guys that are with all the teams, because we're sharing a locker room with a lot of the other teams. So, you actually get to know a lot of the guys on the other teams. You say hello, and everybody knows you're here for business, and we're getting ready to play baseball during the season. Spring training is competition, but it's spring training nonetheless."
Q: Any final message for Riversharks fans?
A: "It's always fun to get a lot of fans out there. We were a pretty good team last year: playing to win, giving great effort. Now it's the beginning of a new season, and you don't really know what to expect. Everybody on the team's still getting to know each other. But all I can say is, come out and support us, and we'll give you a good show, and you'll enjoy it!"
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